More than 100 women rally for Talent

~ The Republican senator made a campaign stop in Cape Girardeau Thursday.

U.S. Sen. Jim Talent championed the war on terror during a campaign stop in Cape Girardeau Thursday and accused his Democratic opponent, State Auditor Claire McCaskill, of undermining the war effort.

The Democratic opposition to the war on terror has only encouraged insurgents in Iraq to believe the United States will withdraw its troops, Talent told a crowd of more than 100 who turned out for a Women for Talent rally at Southeast Missouri State University.

"I am pleased to have the support of women who share the same values my mother taught me to believe in: work, faith, family, caring about your neighbor and your community," Talent said.

Talent also rallied female supporters at a luncheon in St. Louis on Thursday. He was scheduled to speak to women supporters in Columbia and Kansas City today and in Joplin and Springfield on Saturday.

Talent praised America's soldiers who are on the front lines in the war in Iraq. The Republican senator said they are working to spread democracy and freedom while helping to protect our nation from Islamic terrorists.

"They are changing history there," he said at a breakfast held in the Dempster Hall atrium.

Talent said the United States must have the resolve to stand up to terrorists like the Palestinian woman who trained her own sons to carry out suicide attacks in the Middle East.

Talent said the United States must and will defeat such terrorists. He said many Americans have that resolve.

He said his late mother had that resolve during World War II. With little education, she walked into the War Department in Washington and said she wanted a job, which she later got. "She wanted to beat the Nazis," Talent said.

"And people like my mom are the reason we are going to win," the senator said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123